Expanding the Phenotype of Homozygous KCNMA1 Mutations; Dyskinesia, Epilepsy, Intellectual Disability, Cerebellar and Corticospinal Tract Atrophy

• Main Authors: Gözde Yeşil, Ayşe Aralaşmak, Enes Akyüz, Dilara İçağasıoğlu, Türkan Uygur Şahin, Yavuz Bayram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Galenos Publishing House 2018-08-01
• Series: Balkan Medical Journal
• Subjects: Cerebellar atrophy; dyskinesia; epilepsy; KCNMA1; spinal tract atrophy
• Online Access: http://balkanmedicaljournal.org/text.php?lang=en&id=1979

Background: The KCNMA1 gene encodes the α-subunit of the large conductance, voltage, and calcium-sensitive potassium channel (BK channels) that plays a critical role in neuronal excitability. Heterozygous mutations in KCNMA1 were first illustrated in a large family with generalized epilepsy and paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia. Recent research has established homozygous KCNMA1 mutations accountable for the phenotype of cerebellar atrophy, developmental delay, and seizures. Case Report: Here, we report the case of a patient with a novel homozygous truncating mutation in KCNMA1 (p.Arg458Ter) presenting with both the loss- and gain-of-function phenotype with paroxysmal dyskinesia, epilepsy, intellectual delay, and corticospinal–cerebellar tract atrophy. Conclusion: This report extends the KNCMA1 mutation phenotype with a patient who carries a novel frameshift variant, presenting with both the gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes along with spinal tract involvement as a novel characteristic.